Can’t Find the Recycle Bin on Windows 11? [2025 Fix]

Why Can’t I Find Recycle Bin Windows 11?

The Recycle Bin is a special folder in Windows where deleted files are temporarily stored before they are permanently removed from your PC. It gives users a second chance to recover accidentally deleted files and is typically found as an icon on the desktop.However, many Windows 11 users report that they can't find the Recycle Bin. This could happen for several reasons.

1. The Recycle Bin icon is hidden: It may have been accidentally removed from the desktop or disabled in system settings.

2. Desktop icon settings are misconfigured: The Recycle Bin might be turned off in the “Themes” settings under “Personalization.”

3. Corrupted user profile: Sometimes a corrupted user profile can lead to missing system icons, including the Recycle Bin.

4. A recent Windows update reset settings: Updates may change system configurations or reset personalization settings without notice.

5. File Explorer or desktop is not refreshing properly: A temporary glitch or display error can prevent the icon from appearing.

6. Group Policy or Registry settings disabled it: On managed devices or after certain tweaks, the Recycle Bin can be disabled at a deeper level.

7. Malware or third-party tools modified system settings: Malicious software or certain "system cleaner" tools might hide or remove the icon.

8. System errors or bugs: Occasional Windows 11 bugs may cause the Recycle Bin to disappear from view.

Quick Fixes: Can’t Find Recycle Bin in Windows 11

Now that you understand the common reasons why the Recycle Bin might be missing or inaccessible on your Windows 11 computer, it’s time to take action. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved quickly with a few simple adjustments in system settings or basic troubleshooting steps.

Below are quick and practical fixes corresponding to each cause. Follow them one by one until you can restore and access your Recycle Bin again.

Fix 1: Show the Recycle Bin Icon on the Desktop

If the Recycle Bin icon is simply hidden, or some misconfigured desktop icon settings prevent the Recycle Bin from showing, you can bring it back through Windows desktop settings.

• Go to "Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings".

• In the pop-up window, check the box for "Recycle Bin" and click "Apply".

This should immediately restore the icon to your desktop if it was accidentally hidden.

Fix 2: Create a New User Profile

A corrupted user profile can cause system icons, like the Recycle Bin, to disappear. To fix this, go to "Settings > Accounts > Family & other users> Other users".

Click "Add someone else to this PC" and follow the on-screen guidelines to create a new local user account. Log into the new profile and check if the Recycle Bin appears.

Using a fresh user profile can resolve icon display issues caused by corruption in your current account.

Fix 3: Reapply Settings After Windows Update

Windows updates may reset personalization settings, causing icons to vanish. After an update, revisit your "Desktop icon settings" as explained in Fix 1 and re-enable the Recycle Bin. Also check for available updates in "Settings > Windows Update" and install any pending patches.

By reapplying your settings and keeping Windows updated, you can prevent future issues.

Fix 4: Refresh Windows File Explorer and Desktop

Temporary glitches can prevent icons from showing up correctly and then you cannot access or find Recycle Bin in Windows 11 or other operating systems. Right-click an empty area on the desktop and choose "Refresh". You can also restart "Windows Explorer" via "Task Manager" under the "Processes" tab. 

Fix 5: Check Group Policy or Registry Settings

System administrators or advanced users may have disabled the Recycle Bin through policies.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

• In the left-hand panel, navigate to the following path: "User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop."
• In the right-hand pane, look for a setting called Remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop. Double-click on it to open the setting window.

• If it is set to Enabled, change it to "Not Configured" or "Disabled". Click "Apply", then "OK". By changing this policy setting, you ensure that the system doesn’t intentionally hide the Recycle Bin icon, restoring normal visibility.

Fix 6: Run a Full Malware Scan

Malware or unwanted software might have modified system visibility settings. Run "Windows Security" or any trusted antivirus tool and perform a "full scan" of your system. Quarantine or remove any threats found.

Clearing malware will help restore system settings and prevent further interference.

Fix 7: Use System File Checker to Fix System Errors

Sometimes, system bugs or corrupted Windows files can cause the Recycle Bin icon to disappear. Running the System File Checker (SFC) tool scans your system for corrupted files and attempts to repair them automatically.

Open "Command Prompt as administrator" and run the command: "sfc /scannow". This will scan and repair corrupted system files.

Once the scan is complete, you will see a message indicating one of the following:

• No integrity violations found (means your system files are fine)
• Found corrupted files and successfully repaired them
• Found corrupted files but could not fix some of them (in this case, further steps may be needed)

After the scan finishes, restart your computer to apply any repairs. When your PC restarts, check if the “can’t find Recycle Bin Windows 11” problem has been solved.

Why Do You Need to Find the Recycle Bin Windows 11?

For most users, the goal isn’t just to get the Recycle Bin icon back, and it’s to recover deleted files. Since the Recycle Bin temporarily stores files before permanent deletion, accessing it gives you a final chance to restore something deleted by mistake. But what if the icon is back and the files are gone?

Still Can’t Find Your Files in Windows 11 Recycle Bin?

If you’ve already emptied the Recycle Bin, files are missing after system errors / malware attacks, or you deleted files from removable disks (which will bypass the Recycle Bin and be deleted permanenttly), you’ll need a professional data recovery solution.

MyRecover is an easy-to-use and powerful recovery tool that can retrieve files even after they’ve been permanently deleted or lost due to formatting, OS crash, corruption, power failure or virus attacks.

Whether it’s personal photos, work documents, video, audio files, etc, you can follow these simple steps to retrieve your lost or permanently deleted files using MyRecover:

Step 1: Install MyRecover on your computer and launch it. On the main interface, select the "drive or partition" where the deleted files were originally stored (e.g., C: drive, USB, external HDD). Click the "Scan" button.

Step 2: MyRecover will automatically run a "Quick Scan" (for recently deleted files) or "Deep Scan" (for format or corrupted drive) to find all deleted or lost files.

Step 3: Once the scanning completes, you can use the built-in filters (e.g., File Type) or search bar to locate specific files. If necessary, click on a file to "preview it" (images, documents, videos, etc.). Then select the files or folders you want to recover by checking the boxes next to them.

Step 4: Choose a different location (not the original drive) to avoid overwriting any unrecovered data. Wait for the process to complete. Your files will now be safely restored.

FAQs about Windows Recycle Bin

1. Where Are the Recycle Bin Locations in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, the "Recycle Bin" is typically represented by a desktop icon. However, each drive (like C:, D:) has its own hidden "\$Recycle.Bin" system folder that stores deleted files. For example, deleted files from \"D:\" will go to "D:\$Recycle.Bin", not the C: drive. 

🙅‍♂️$Recycle.Bin is a system-protected folder, so don't modify or delete its contents manually.

2. How to Access \$Recycle.Bin Folder?

To access the "\$Recycle.Bin" folder in Windows 11, start by opening "File Explorer". Then, click on the "View" menu at the top, select "Show", and enable "Hidden items" so that system folders become visible.

Once hidden files are shown, navigate to the root directory of your drive, such as "C:\" or "D:\". There, you’ll find the "\$Recycle.Bin" folder. Double-click to open it, and inside you will see subfolders with names like `S-1-5-21...`, which correspond to different user accounts on the system.

3. How to Reinstall Windows Recycle Bin?

If your Recycle Bin is corrupted or missing, you can "recreate it" by following these steps:

Option A: Reset from Desktop Icon Settings

1. Go to "Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings".

2. Check "Recycle Bin", click "Apply".

Option B: Manually Delete and Rebuild

1. Open "Command Prompt as administrator".C

2. Type the following command (for each drive) and press Enter: rd /s /q E:\$Recycle.Bin

(Replace E: with your actual drive letter.)

3. Restart your computer. Windows will auto-recreate the Recycle Bin.

4. How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Recycle Bin in Windows 11?

Once you "empty the Recycle Bin", files are permanently deleted, but they may still be recoverable using professional tools like MyRecover.

Summary

If you can’t find the Recycle Bin on Windows 11 PC, don’t worry.It’s usually a result of simple system settings, temporary glitches, or recent updates. By understanding the common causes and applying the right fixes, you can quickly bring it back.

If you were trying to access the Recycle Bin to restore deleted files but emptied it by accident, tools like MyRecover give you a second chance to get your important data back, even after permanent deletion, or recover data from crash computers. With the right steps, your Recycle Bin and your files are never truly lost.